Saturday, January 2, 2010

A Year in Books

These days it seems like everyone is blogging about 2009 and all of the trials and tribulations that it held. I decided to do something a little different and share my year in books. Several years ago I started keeping track of all the books I read during the year because I was curious about the number. 2008 brought in 112 books due mainly to the state of my RA and the fact that I really couldn't do much else that year, crafting was most definitely out and even typing was hard, so I read a LOT. This year I finished up my last book of the year at around 3:00pm on December 31st while at my BFFs house enjoying the quiet when literally everyone else there was napping (even the dogs). That book brought my grand total for the year to 73, less than the previous year but only because I'm back to being able to use my hands!! I love keeping track of the books I've read because it's fun to look back and remember all the great things I've read over the year. So here is my retrospective for 2009...in books

January

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy - This is one of the many books I've read out of the school library and is by far the most uplifting Holocaust book I've ever read. I can hear you saying to yourself "Really? An uplifting Holocaust book", but I promise it is. Great for parents and kids (11+), a wonderful fast read.

February

The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost- A hilarious travel narrative about a man and his wife moving to the South Pacific (to a place I'd never, ever heard of). A great read for anyone who likes to travel, dreams of traveling, or just likes to read about traveling!

March

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon - One of the Outlander series, which my friend Jenn hooked me onto (on a side note go check out her recipes, you will not regret it!). The whole series is a great mix of historical fiction, action, adventure, and sexy Scotsman, all wrapped up into one great series of books.

April

Okay let me preface this book by stating that I read the first book in this series before the 3rd one was even published so I've been in on it since the beginning and not just caught up in all the hoopla. My book for April is Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer - This remains my favorite book of the series, and I won't go into anything else about that!

May

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster - If you're not reading Jen's books, or checking out her hilarious website then you should. She is a riot and I've never been disappointed with any of her fantastic, hilarious, sarcastic memoirs.

June

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling - In honor of the 6th moving coming out in July of 2009, I had to reread the entire series (because I'm that girl), so I started with the first and plowed my way through the whole series in time to see the movie. And yes I'll do it again when the book is made into a movie (twice since it's being split into two films).

July

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink - I'll admit that I wanted to read this book because the movie was coming out and I wanted to see it. Well, I ended up liking the book so much that I refused to watch the movie because I didn't want it to ruin the pictures I had in my head!

AugustThe Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella - When school starts back up after a long summer of relaxing then I just have to read things that pure fun and fluff. This book delivered, it was funny and touching, and easy to read. Plus (bonus) it takes place in England so I get to read the whole thing with a British accent!

SeptemberCertain Girls by Jennifer Weiner - This is a sequel to Good in Bed (which I also reread this month), and was fantastic. I love the way Weiner is able to write both as the main character and her teenage daughter and be completely believable. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more, it was wonderful!

OctoberThe Lost Symbol by Dan Brown - Okay so I caved to peer pressure and bought this book, but it was really good. And, as long as you're not crazy and believe that everything he writes is true (his books are in the FICTION section people), then just sit back and enjoy the story!

NovemberHandle With Care by Jodi Picoult - I'll read any book she writes and love them all. Although the material in her books makes them all difficult to read (I always need to read fluff after one of her books), but are all beautifully written and wonderful to read.

DecemberUnder the Jolly Roger by L. A. Meyer - This is the 3rd in a series of young adult books and is also the last book I read in 2009! The series follows a young girl who is orphaned, lives on the streets, and finally stow aboard a British ship disguised as a boy to join the British Navy. Although it is a young adult series I'd say that after book 3 it is probably not appropriate for kids younger than 13 or 14.

So there it is, my Year in Books. Some kids books, some adult books, some mysteries, some chick lit, and a whole lot of fun. Here's to 2010 and all the books it holds!!

About Me

I earned a B.A. in English back in 2000 and am still paying it off. In the meantime I earned two additional degrees that allowed me to get a job! Since it's been a really long time since then I decided that I should actually start using my English degree and do some writing so here I am.